NHS figures show more than 3.4 million children under the age of 16 years are unprotected and at risk of catching these serious and completely preventable diseases.
The NHS campaign will see all parents of children aged from six to 11 years contacted encouraging them to make an appointment with their child’s GP practice for their missed MMR vaccine. Measles, mumps and rubella are highly infectious illnesses that can easily spread between unvaccinated people. Complications from measles, mumps and rubella can be potentially life changing including blindness, deafness and swelling of the brain (encephalitis). Analysis shows one infected child in a classroom can infect up to nine other unvaccinated children, making it one of the most infectious diseases worldwide; and more infectious than COVID-19. Meanwhile, one in five children with measles, will need to be admitted to hospital for treatment.
To read details of the full campaign, please click the link below:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/2024/01/nhs-launches-catch-up-campaign-for-missed-mmr-vaccines/
Parents and carers can find out more about the different vaccines their child should have and when by visiting www.nhs.uk and searching for ‘NHS vaccinations and when to have them’.
If you receive an invitation for an MMR vaccination from the national campaign that is currently being run, please book an appointment with one of our Practice Nurses by contacting the surgery after 2pm Monday – Friday on: 01580 763666 and selecting option 2.
